Johnny Mercyside

Search...

Monday, December 01, 2003

Morning people, this is another very early review I did,
probably around 7 years ago, similar time to the Mechanical Animals one I did.
It's not the style I'll go with now, but it's still an intriguing read. Enjoy.

If you are trying to get into Marilyn Manson, and don’t know
what album to start with, then this one is for you.

Irresponsible Hate Anthem

Music – ****1/2

Lyrics - ****1/2

Vocals – ****1/2

Overall – ****1/2

This is a mind-blowing track. Irresponsible Hate Anthem is
one of the best starts to an album I have ever heard. It sounds live in the
start, the crowd roaring “We hate love! We love hate!” Then Manson kicks off
with amazing riffs and drums. This is one of the heavier tracks on the album,
and certainly one of the stand outs. Brilliant.

The Beautiful People

Music – *****

Lyrics - ****1/2

Vocals – *****

Video - ****1/2

Single Value - *****

Overall – ****1/2

Do I really need to review this song? The Beautiful People
is THE Manson track that everyone remembers. The Beautiful People has one of
the most memorable riffs of the 1990’s. A key track on Antichrist Superstar,
which was the first single on the album. However some Manson fans don’t like
this song, because of how often it gets played. It’s up to you to decide. The
video is cool too, first time you see it, you have to admit it is impressive,
creepy stuff.

Dried Up, Tied and Dead to the World

Music – ***1/2

Lyrics - ***1/2

Vocals – ****

Overall – ***1/2

The quietest track on the album as far. This has some techno
sounds from the likes of Nine Inch Nails in it. This song is probably one of
the less talked about on the album, but nevertheless still good.

Tourniquet

Music – ****

Lyrics - ***1/2

Vocals – ****

Video – ****

Single Value – ***

Overall – ***1/2

You might have noticed the single value I put for this song.
I’m sure a lot of people really disagree with what I put, but I really don’t
think this song should have been a single. There are far better songs on this
album that could have replaced it. Now to the positive side, this was the
second single of the album. The video for this song is very disturbing, but I
think it’s just so inspiring. Watching Manson turning into a moth was really
entertaining =p.

Little Horn

Music – ****

Lyrics – ***1/2

Vocals – ***1/2

Overall – ***1/2

This song is the heaviest on the album since the first
track. The riff in this song is cool, and in the middle of the song there is a
short instrumental riff which I think really rocks. It sounds like the Nirvana
‘Stay Away’ riff in a weird way. Well I think it does anyway...

Cryptorchid

Music – ***1/2

Lyrics - ****

Vocals – ***1/2

Video – ***

Overall – ***1/2

This isn’t a single, however there was a video for this
song. I don’t think it was a very good video, black and white flashes of
disturbing things like worms etc. People seem to really like this song, but I
don’t think it’s one of the best on the album. I think the lyrics are really
good though, especially the end when the high pitched voice sings.

Deformography

Music – ****1/2

Lyrics – ****

Vocals – ****

Overall – ****

Not many people pay as much attention to this track as I do.
I think this is one of the best songs on the album, and the riff in the middle
of the song really makes me rock into it. The lyrics are good, Manson saying
that he lifts her up like the sweatest angel, and that he’ll tear her down like
a wh*re (I think it’s a girl he’s talking about anyway). It’s like a failed
love song I think.

Wormboy

Music – ****1/2

Lyrics – ****

Vocals – *****

Overall – ****1/2

The techno sounds have returned Nine Inch Nails style for
this cracker. Just like the previous track, I feel that this is one of the best
on the album but people don’t pay enough attention to it. The chorus is
amazing; I love the way Manson sings this song. Considering his natural deep
voice, he can sing very high.

Mister Superstar

Music – *****

Lyrics – *****

Vocals – ****1/2

Overall – *****

Now this song is amazing. This song changing phase so often.
In the start Manson whispers “Hey Mister Superstar”, and it builds up through
the first verse, and kicks off big time for the chorus. The riff throughout the
song is very basic, but brings the song through to the end perfectly. I love
the lyrics in this song, just like Deformography, it’s like a failed love song.
Terrific stuff by Manson, at his best.

Angel with the Scabbed Wings

Music – ****1/2

Lyrics – ****

Vocals – *****

Overall – ****1/2

This song in a way is the black sheep of the album. The riff
once again is very simple but really stands out and brings the song together.
But the most noticeable thing about this song is definitely the way Manson
sings it. There is only one other song Manson that has any similarity to the
way he sings this, and that is ‘This is the New *hit’ off ‘The Golden Age of
Grotesque’. This however, is a lot more heavy, the way he sings this song is
almost Hardcore Rap. This song is one of the heavier songs on the album.

Kinderfeld

Music – ***1/2

Lyrics – ***1/2

Vocals – ****

Overall – ***1/2

This is the first slower song on the album since
Cryptorchid. The riff in this song is more depressing and moody, but still a
cool song. Not a very popular choice on the album, but I like the way he songs
this song, he goes back to the high pitched Manson again.

Antichrist Superstar

Music – ****1/2

Lyrics – ****1/2

Vocals – ****

Overall – ****1/2

Since this album, Manson has always had a track names after
the album. Then we come to Antichrist Superstar. A similar start to
Irresponsible Hate Anthem, weird noises in the start, followed by a double drum
beat and a crowd roar, double drum beat then a crowd roar. If you have been to
a Manson gig, this is one of the main parts of the gig that the crowd take
part. The lyrics come back from Cryptorchid (Prick your finger…), and blend in
perfectly. This is one of the key tracks to the album, and damn right it should
be.

1996

Music – ***1/2

Lyrics – ****

Vocals – ***1/2

Overall – ***1/2

Named by the year of the release of the album. Manson’s
lyrics are easy to understand in this track. Basically he is trying to say
‘F*ck everything’. A very noise track, with some pretty cool riffs in it. Not
one of my favourites but still good.

Minute of Decay

Music – ****1/2

Lyrics – *****

Vocals – ****1/2

Overall – ****1/2

I love the build-up of this track. Like Mister Superstar’s
build-up, Manson starts the track very slow and moody, with a really cool riff.
However this song builds up a lot longer before kicking off than Mister
Superstar did. After the second verse he kicks it off, screaming, until slowing
down in the end again. The lyrics really inspire me, this song like some others
are like a failed love, or a revenged one. “I’m on my way down and now I’d like
to take you with me…”

The Reflecting God

Music – ****1/2

Lyrics – *****

Vocals – ****1/2

Overall – ****1/2

“Your world is an ashtray” Kicks off this track. Like Minute
of Decay and Mister Superstar, Manson builds the track up. However there is no
slow riffs or moody music behind the fire, this song is Manson in a generally
rocky mood, before screaming the choruses. However, the drums in the middle of
the song is what makes this song something. Those drums stand out so
effectively while Manson whispers “No salvation… No forgiveness…” This is an
epic track.

Man That You Fear

Music – ****1/2

Lyrics – *****

Vocals – *****

Video – *****

Overall – *****

This song has almost perfect results for many reasons. This
song is very slow and moody throughout. A constant drum hits throughout the
song. Manson squeals his lyrics with pain. However the main reason why I love
this song so much is the video. If you listen to this song without the video,
you probably won’t see things to the slightest to the way I, and many people
do. Manson has feelings, and expresses them in the video. Watch the video and
look at the lyrics in my Man That You Fear page to understand what I mean. This
song definitely a song to remember.

Untitled

I don’t rate instrumentals, weird noises etc. This is Track
99 on Antichrist Superstar. The only real purpose of this track is to combine
‘Man That You Fear’ to ‘Irresponsible Hate Anthem’. If you put the album on
repeat, you will hear a loop of the entire album.

Here are the final ratings:

Music: 85% = ****1/2

Lyrics: 84% = ****

Vocals: 86% = ****1/2

Videos: 85% = ****1/2

Singles Value: 80% = ****

Overall: 84% = ****

For an album, they are very good ratings. I think Antichrist
Superstar is my favourite album, and I recommend anyone to listen to it. If you
are trying to get into Marilyn Manson, and don’t know what album to start with,
then this one is for you. I takes time to get used to it, but the more you hear
it, the more you will love it.

Rating: ****

Once again this would get close to an instant 5 stars if I
were to re-review it, I always change my mind about what album is better, this
or Mechanical Animals, they are both brilliant for different reasons.

For the latest updates on my work, follow me on Facebook and Twitter here!